Born in Compton, California, Lamar began releasing music under the stage name K.Dot while attending high school. He signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005, and co-founded the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy there. Following the 2011 release of his alternative rap debut album Section.80, Lamar secured a joint contract with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. He rose to fame with his gangsta rap-influenced second album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), which became the longest-charting hip hop studio album in Billboard 200's chart history. In 2015, Lamar scored his first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, after featuring on the remix of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood", and released his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, which infused hip-hop with historical African-American music genres such as jazz, funk, and soul, and became his first of five consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 chart.
Lamar's critical and commercial success continued with his R&B and pop-leaning fourth album Damn (2017), yielding his second US number-one single, "Humble". He curated original songs for the soundtrack of the 2018 film Black Panther, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the US top-ten single "All the Stars". Lamar's 2022 double album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers concluded his tenure with TDE and Aftermath. His feud with Drake and subsequent sixth album GNX (2024) spawned the Hot 100 number-ones "Like That" and "Squabble Up", as well as "Not Like Us", which became the most-awarded song in the Grammy Awards history, with five wins, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Lamar has received various accolades, including 22 Grammy Awards (the third-most won by a rapper), a Primetime Emmy Award, a Brit Award, 4 American Music Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards, 11 MTV Video Music Awards (including 2 Video of the Year wins), and a record 37 BET Hip Hop Awards. Time listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. Three of his works were included in Rolling Stone's 2020 revision of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Outside of music, Lamar co-founded the creative company PGLang and ventured into film with his longtime creative partner, Dave Free.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. He is the first child of former gang hustler Kenneth "Kenny" Duckworth and hairdresser Paula Oliver. Both of his parents are African Americans from the South Side of Chicago. When they were teenagers, they relocated to Compton in 1984, due to his father's affiliation with the Gangster Disciples. Lamar was named after singer-songwriter Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations. He was an only child until the age of seven and was described as a loner by his mother. Eventually, his parents had his two younger brothers and younger sister, businesswoman Kayla Sawyer (née Duckworth). His cousins include basketball player Nick Young and rapper Baby Keem. He considered studying psychology and astronomy in college, but suspended his academic pursuits to focus on his music career.
Tupac Shakur is Lamar's biggest influence, having impacted both his professional and personal lives. One of his earliest childhood memories is watching him and Dr. Dre film the second music video for their single "California Love" with his father at the Compton Swap Meet. Lamar has described himself as an "offspring" of Shakur's artistry and sociopolitical views. Although some publications have regarded him as the Shakur of his generation, he has strived to maintain his individuality.
Lamar maintains a low public profile, and is known to be reserved. He is reluctant to publicly discuss his personal life and generally avoids using social media. He is also decisive when engaging with mainstream media outlets, although journalists have complimented his "Zen-like" calmness and down to earth personality. According to Lamar, he has become "so invested in who I am outside of being famous, sometimes that's all I know. I've always been a person that really didn't dive too headfirst into wanting and needing attention. I mean, we all love attention, but for me, I don't necessarily adore it." His lyrics have been a topic of media scrutiny, leading to both praise and controversy.
Lamar's public perception has also been influenced by the various rap feuds he has been involved with. Although some journalists declared him the winner of his highly publicized conflict with Drake, some felt that his victory was pyrrhic due to the severity of accusations introduced and the spread of online misinformation. Following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, media outlets have described Lamar as the "modern hip hop messiah". Some critics dislike his "grating" political infusions, causing him to be viewed as having a savior complex. However, Lamar has declared himself to be the "greatest rapper alive" due to his personal connection to hip hop. "I'm not doing it to have a good song, or one good rap, or a good hook, or a good bridge," he explained to Zane Lowe. "I want to keep doing it every time, period. And to do it every time, you have to challenge yourself and you have to confirm to yourself—not anybody else, confirm to yourself that you're the best, period. [...] That's my drive and that's my hunger, I will always have".
In November 2024, Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album, GNX, marking his first project after departing from Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment. The album features collaborations with artists such as SZA, Roddy Ricch, and emerging Los Angeles rappers, and includes production contributions from Jack Antonoff. GNX blends elements reminiscent of his previous works, combining mainstream appeal with complex themes, and introduces new influences like the West Coast club sound. The album's release intensified Lamar's ongoing feud with Drake, particularly with the track "Not Like Us," which became a massive hit and won multiple Grammy awards. Following his performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2025, GNX returned to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying Lamar's status as a dominant force in contemporary hip-hop.
Whatcha Know About It
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spaz on bitches
One state of mind, I'm out for the riches
I've seen good crack
Uncle stuck in the kitchen
Now behind prison, phone calls can't visit
Seventeen, half of my life has been explicit
Rated R content, no supervisionWith you talking nonsense
I'm not trynna listen
I'm a point guard, small forward
Play your position before you wind up in the
Lake with the fishes
On a blind date with a crocodile, vicious
I switch the flow so you
Say that I sound different
But the flow is the same reason
My dick kill bitch kissing?
And that's the same reason your
Not in my competition
Cause I swear right now that
None of yall existing
Fall off is probably what you wishing
But I can't stop, won't stop
Young gunning you niggas
I've been known to have stash for the burnnin
And break a bitch down to the
Point that I learn them
And when I get dough, I'mma let you know
Throw the cake in your face like Ike Turner
I turn a schoolgirl into a
Dick smuggler, sex publisher
Rated X government
See me in the hooptie boy
See I'm a young black boy
Who don't give a fuck, what
This that gangsta shit that make
You wanna grab your shit
Cock back and blast some shit
Empty, reload the clip
You won't find nothing hotter than this
Whatcha know about it
This that gangsta shit that make
You wanna blaze this spliff
Get drunk, grab a fifth, open it
Guzzle it quick
You won't find nothing hotter than this
Whatcha know about it
In Kendrick Lamar's song "Whatcha Know About It," he provides a glimpse into his upbringing and the challenges he has faced. The lyrics touch on themes of violence, drugs, and a gritty, street-oriented lifestyle. Lamar talks about his experiences with flipping on others and spazzing on women, suggesting a volatile and aggressive nature. He mentions being driven by the pursuit of wealth and how he has witnessed the consequences of drug use, like his uncle being trapped in the cycle of addiction.
The lyrics also convey Lamar's rebellious attitude and refusal to conform to societal norms or listen to meaningless chatter. He describes himself as a point guard and small forward, emphasizing his dominance and authority in the realm of rap. Lamar asserts his superiority over his competition, declaring their insignificance and insinuating that they are not at his level.
Later in the song, Lamar boasts about his ability to attract women and manipulate them, highlighting his sexual prowess. He juxtaposes this with his image as a young black man who defies societal expectations and doesn't care about the consequences. The lyrics promote a sense of danger and defiance, inviting listeners to embrace their rebellious side.
Overall, "Whatcha Know About It" is a raw and gritty representation of Kendrick Lamar's past experiences, his unapologetic attitude, and his refusal to conform to societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been known to flip on niggas
I have a reputation for turning against people who betray or cross me
Spaz on bitches
I react explosively to women who mistreat me
One state of mind, I'm out for the riches
I am solely focused on acquiring wealth and success
I've seen good crack
I have witnessed the destructive effects of drug abuse
Uncle stuck in the kitchen
My uncle is trapped in a cycle of drug cooking and addiction
Now behind prison, phone calls can't visit
He is currently incarcerated and cannot receive visitors or calls
Seventeen, half of my life has been explicit
Since the age of seventeen, a significant portion of my experiences have been explicit and mature
Rated R content, no supervision
I have been exposed to mature and explicit content without any guidance or supervision
With you talking nonsense
I have no interest in listening to your meaningless and irrelevant conversation
I'm a point guard, small forward
In life, I take charge and play different roles to navigate through obstacles
Play your position before you wind up in the Lake with the fishes
If you don't know your place, you may find yourself in a dangerous and unfortunate situation
On a blind date with a crocodile, vicious
Facing a dangerous and aggressive situation without any prior knowledge or warning
I switch the flow so you
I change my style of rapping to surprise and impress you
Say that I sound different
People comment that my new style sounds unique and unlike my previous work
But the flow is the same reason
However, the underlying rhythm and delivery of my rap remains consistent
My dick kill bitch kissing?
My sexual prowess is so impressive that it can even cause women to become infatuated
And that's the same reason your
It's because of that same reason that you
Not in my competition
Are not on my level or a competitor against me
Cause I swear right now that
Because I confidently state that
None of yall existing
None of you are relevant or significant
Fall off is probably what you wishing
You probably wish for my downfall or failure
But I can't stop, won't stop
However, I am determined and relentless, refusing to quit or be deterred
Young gunning you niggas
I am aggressively targeting and overpowering my rivals
I've been known to have stash for the burnin
It is known that I possess drugs to sell and use for personal enjoyment
And break a bitch down to the
I have the ability to emotionally and psychologically manipulate a woman
Point that I learn them
To the extent that I completely understand and control them
And when I get dough, I'mma let you know
And when I become wealthy, I will make sure to inform you
Throw the cake in your face like Ike Turner
I will humiliate you in a manner similar to how Ike Turner infamously treated his wife Tina Turner
I turn a schoolgirl into a
I have the ability to corrupt and manipulate an innocent girl
Dick smuggler, sex publisher
I am skilled at engaging in discreet sexual activities and spreading information about it
Rated X government
I engage in explicit and scandalous activities that go against societal norms
See me in the hooptie boy
Witness me driving around in an old, beat-up car
It's not a cover up
I am not hiding my true self or intentions
See I'm a young black boy
Understand that I am a young African American male
Who don't give a fuck, what
I genuinely do not care about other people's opinions or judgments
This that gangsta shit that make
This music represents the tough and rebellious lifestyle that motivates
You wanna grab your shit
It makes you want to grab your weapon or possessions
Cock back and blast some shit
Prepare and violently attack others
Empty, reload the clip
Shoot until all ammunition is spent and then reload the gun's magazine
You won't find nothing hotter than this
There is no other music that is more intense and impressive than this one
Whatcha know about it
What do you truly understand or have experienced about this lifestyle
This that gangsta shit that make
This music represents the tough and rebellious lifestyle that motivates
You wanna blaze this spliff
It makes you want to smoke marijuana
Get drunk, grab a fifth, open it
Get intoxicated by consuming a bottle of alcoholic beverage and open it
Guzzle it quick
Drink it rapidly and greedily
You won't find nothing hotter than this
There is no other music that is more intense and impressive than this one
Whatcha know about it
What do you truly understand or have experienced about this lifestyle
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lil mart
on BLOOD.
nice
Lì Márt
on King Kunta
nice
Geneva Andes
on King Kunta
h